M A I N   N E W S

Kashmir Singh freed
To meet family today

Lahore, March 3
Indian national Kashmir Singh was released today after spending 35 years on death row in Pakistani jails and will be reunited with his family at the Wagah border tomorrow.

Singh, pardoned last week by President Pervez Musharraf after his case was taken up by caretaker human rights minister Ansar Burney, emerged from the Kot Lakhpat Central Jail here a little after 8.20 pm (local time).

Escorted by Burney and his family, a relieved-looking Singh got into a waiting vehicle and was driven to a five-star hotel where he would spend the night. Some people showered rose petals on the car as it sped away from the jail.

Singh’s release from jail was beamed live on all Pakistani news channels but he did not speak to the waiting media.

“My wife and I will accompany Singh to Wagah where he will be reunited with his family at 11 am tomorrow,” Burney told PTI.

Later, Kashmir Singh offered prayers at a gurdwara. “I am happy to be released and thankful to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf,” Singh told reporters.

Shortly after his release from the Lahore Central Jail, Singh went to the Gurdwara Dera Sahib, located near the Badshahi mosque built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The shrine is in the place where Sikh Guru Arjun Dev was martyred. Singh was accompanied by Burney. “Getting Kashmir Singh released is like Eid for me,” said Burney.

Suresh Reddy, the visa counsellor from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, went to Lahore to hand over Singh’s travel documents at the jail.

“Singh is in sound health. He has been following the news about his case on radio and TV and is excited at the prospect of seeing his family,” Reddy said.

Though there was a slight delay in completing certain formalities for the prisoner’s release, Burney asked officials at the jail to remain in their offices beyond normal working hours so that Singh could be freed today itself.

Singh was traced by Burney during a visit to Lahore Central Jail. A mercy petition sent by the Minister was accepted on humanitarian grounds by Musharraf, who pardoned Singh and allowed him to return to India.

Following the approval of Singh’s mercy petition by Musharraf last week, the order for his release was issued by the Interior Ministry on Saturday.

Singh has told an Indian TV channel that his release has given him a “new lease of life”.

Singh’s wife Paramjit Kaur, who has been struggling for his release since his arrest in 1973 and his subsequent conviction on espionage charges, will greet him on the Indian side of the border with family members and friends. — PTI